Wrapping machine sealing and detector mechanism



Aug- 26, 1941. M. '.l. MILMQE E-rAl. 2,254,108

WRAPPING MACHINE SEALING AND DETECTOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. l5, 19:57'` 2 Sheets-Sheet l a5 Emil A TTORN E YS.

Aug. 26, 1941. M. J. MILMOE ETAL 2,254,108

l WRAPPING MACHINE SEALING AND DETECTOR MECHANISM Filed Feb. l5, 1957 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Ang. 26,1941

WRAPPING MACHINE SEALING AND DETECTOR MECHANISM Michael J. Milmoe, Glen Ellyn, and Clarence J. Malhiot Oak Park, Ill., assignorsv to F. B. Reding'ton Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation o! Illinois l Application February 15, 1937, serial No. 125,804

17 Claims.

This invention relates to wrapping machines in general and particularly to a machine for wrapping and sealing or closing packages.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide new and improved means forsealing a package and eiecting a tight seal by the use of an ejector or blowing mechanism which or pot, which is provided withnew and improved means for closing and opening the adhesive applying passage, which has detector means for preventing the operation of the applying means when a package is not in proper adhesive receiving position, which is provided' with means for measuring and carrying a predetermined amount of wax or adhesive to position,l and which is provided with means for causing vthe amount'oi adhesive or wax carried by the adhesive carrying means to be discharged at a predetermined timed interval with respect to certain other operations of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is kthe provision oi' a new and novel arrangement of parts and elements constructed and arranged to operate in alpredetermined proper sequence to eiect a proper and correlated operation of a sealing mechanism.

A still further object of the invention isthe provision of a new, noveland simple sealing and detector mechanism which is adapted to be readily applied to existing machinesor which is capable oi' being readily incorporated in a newly constructed device, and which is composed `oi! few and simple parts, relatively few of which are operated and which are not likely to get out ofA order.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following speoiilcation.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a se-' lected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows: 1

Fig. 1 is a detail elevational view of a wrapping and sealing machine and embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of the improved wrapping and sealing means shown in Fig. 1.

ing the limit of its upward travel.

- Fig. 3 is a detail `sectional view showing the position of some of the elements for sealing a wrappenthe operating rod being shown as near- Fig. 4 is a detail elevational view showing the position of the detector mechanism when a packageis in proper position.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the detector mechanism whenno package is arranged in position. r Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of a package showing the position of the package for receiving the sealing or waxing treatment.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line l-l of Fig. 2, showing the parts at the limit of their upward movement and in operating position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but shows one rod at the limit of its upward travel and the other rod` in its lowermost positionand unaffected by the operation of the operating rod.

Fig. 9 is a detail view'ofv one 'form of package showing the outer wrapper in sealed position.l

Fig. 1o.is another form of carton to which the method is readily adaptable.

The invention is adapted to be applied to` tion therewith a conveyor l0, which in the presentl instance is circular in the form of a wheel.l there being a plurality oi ilexible spaced carriers II each including a supporting' portion l2 and a spring pressed article supporting finger i3, Fig. 1.

Packages I4 are carried about the periphery of the conveyor and held by the carriers Il.

The packagesv I4, Fig. 6. each comprise an inner wrapper I5 wrappedI about a plurality oi stacked circular articles I6. An outer wrapper I1 is wrapped about the wrapper II and is tubular in shape. The end of the tubular wrapper Il extends a predetermined distance beyond the end I8 of the inner 'folded wrapper Il. 'I'he outer wrapper, therefore, has an extension I9 which is adapted to be again folded about the once wrapped article. The method of arranging shaft or rod 2d and is arranged between the wrapper and sealing the ends may be as disclosed in Patent No. 2,019,191, issued October 29, 1935, and assigned to the present assignee. An opening tape, as set forth in said patent, may be includei.

A wax pot or other adhesive carrying receptacle 20 is arranged in juxtaposition with respect to the article carrying mechanism to permit the open end of a wrapper about an article to be sprayed with a predetermined amount of wax' or other adhesive so that when the outer wrapper is folded down in position a tight seal is effected.

The receptacle 2t is adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of wax or other adhesive 2i and where wax is used as the Isealing agent, heating elements 22 may be provided for melting the wax and maintaining the same at a predetermined-operating temperature. The receptacle 2li .is provided with a lug or boss portion 23 to provide a bearing for the vertically movable valves or rods 2G and 25, Figs. 3, 7 and 8.

The bearing 23 is provided with a transverse bore or passage 2@ to which an air pipe or line 2l, Fig. 7, leading to a source of air pressure (not shown), is connected to provide a passage from the air pressure means toe nozzie The bore 2&5 transverses the bores and provided in the bearing 223 for the vertical rods or valves 2d and respectively. @ne part of the bearing or boss extends from the top of the receptacle to the bottom, and it is through this solid part that the bore is formed for the reception of the rod iii. The other part of the bearing or hoes 23 extends only a part way down, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, l and 8, to permit the lower end of the rod i'l to be immersed in wax 2i, Fig. 8. The rod 2S is slio'iabiy movable in the bore 2Q and extends completely through the bearing throughout its entire vertical length and above and below the top and bottom of the receptacle 2t.

An operating head Si is connected to 'the lower end of the rod 3.13 and is operated by operating mechanism 32 to cause vertical movement of the rod 25. This operating mechanism is oper ativeljy but resiliently connected and correiated with 'the means which operates the package care rying member'or wheel i@ so that operation ci the rod 2t is synchronized with the operation of the drive shaft or" the .article carryingwheei iii. This operating mechanism. is provided with a resilientl feature, as will later be de v scribed, so that jars and strains are taken or? the parts should the rod be stuck for some reason or other, such. as the freezing or casing oi the wax.

A spring 3io encircles the lower end of the bottom of the receptacle f2@ and the 'upper suru face of the member 'The purpose of this spring is to lower 'the rod '2Q after it has been raised by the operating means A lug is lxed tothe shaft or rod dfi and is provided with a three-sided opening Sti therein to receive the dupper squared portion 35 of `the rod The open side of the lug 33 to have a plate St attached thereto to close the open side of the opening 3G so that the roel will be completely surrounded. The plate is a friction plate and is held in position by the fastening vmembers 3l and their cli-operating springs 3Q. A pressure is, therefore, exerted is adapted against the rod 25 providing a friction contact between the lug 33 and the shaft 25. Therefore,

when the rod 24 is reciprocated vertically, the frictional contact between the lug 33 and the rod 25 is such as to cause 'the lug 33 to reciprocate the rod 25. i

The rods 24 and 25 are each provided with transverse bores 39 and l0, respectively, which are adapted to be brought into alinement with the passage 26 in the bearing member 23. When the bores 39 and 40 are in alinement Withv the passage 26 air pressure is free to pass through the ejector nozzle 28. The nozzle 28 is, of course, positioned relative to the open end of the cylindrical outer wrapper I1 to spray the closed end i8 of the inner Wrapper with a predetermined quantity of wax, Fig. 6. The rod 25 carries a .predetermined quantity of .Wax in the bore 40 and, therefore, when the bores 39 and 40 of the rods 2li and 25, respectively, are in alinement with the passage 26 in the bearing 23 the wax in the bore 600i' the rod 25 is blown out of the nozzle 21B against the end o f the article package.

Means (not shown) are then operated to fold over the end of the outer wrapper il in any desired manner, such as disclosed in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,019,193..

iuring operation of the driving means the rod 2t is moved upwardly against the tension of the spring Sie. Upward movement of the rod 2li will normally cause upward movement or the rod 253 because the lug 33 is xed to the rod 2Q and has frictional engagement with the rod 25, the riction being sufficient to raisethe rod 25 under normal operating conditions. When the rod 2t has reached the limit of its upward travel, the

l passage 39 in the rod 25 will be in alinement with the passage 2G in the bearing The rod 25, which is being raised by the roel Ell, will be limited in its upward movement by a stop lli whereby the passage lit in the rod 2i?) will. be in alinement with the passage 2t. As shown in Fig. '7, the air pressure coming through the line 2l! will then blow out any wax which is in the passage lil in the rod 25 and force this wax out oi the nozzle @ii against the folded end of the inner wrapper i5.

After the waxing operation has heen completed the operating mechanism t2 will be withdrawn from the operating looss Sii and the spring fila will return the parts to normal inoperative position because the movement of the rods in their bores will bring the passages 319 and out of alinement with the passage 2S and, therefore, the air supply from the line El is shut off. When the rod 2d moves downwardly the 'rod will o caused to move downwardly because of lrietional engagement or the rod ii with the The downward movement of the rod is limited because of the engagement of the bottom of the rod 2t with the bottom or the receptacle Excess or over-movement of the .rod 263 either direction will not be transmitted 'to the rod 25 because of the sliding frictional engagement. Therefore, when the rod 25 reaches the stop iii the rod 25 will cease to :move even Q ,thougli the rod t@ continues upwardly (compare 3 and 7). Likewise, downward movement of the rod 25 will cease when the bottom of the rod 2@ engages the bottom of the reptacle, as shown in Fig. il, even though the rod 2d should continue downwardly. However, the passage 39 in the rod Eil is so positioned with respect to the mechanism that operates the rod that at the limit of the upward movement of the rod 2 the passage will be in the position shown in Fig. "1'. Therefore, during reciprocation of the rod 24 sure to blow the wax in the passage 4|| out of' the nozzle 29. v During each reciprocation of the rod 25 the an operating head 54 which has face to face contact with the member Il. The journal or boss 52 on the member 5| is fixed to the shaft 53 in iow'er end of the rod is immersed m tneuquid y wax 2| and a predetermined amount of wax is deposited in the passage 49. The wax can not escape from the passage 40 as the normal wax line is above the lower end 42 of the bearing 23 and, therefore, is confined by the material of the boss which surrounds the bore 29.

f course, it is desirable and really necessary that no wax be sprayed `when no wrapped article r |4 is in position to receive the wax. Therefore, detector means are provided to prevent the passage 4|| from coming into alinement with the passage 29 when no article is in position to receive the wax treatment.

This detector mechanism comprises a feeler 43, Figs. 2. 4 and 5, which is carried by a feeler arm' 4'4. This feeler arm 44 is rigidly mounted v on a transverse shaft 45 which is journaled in a bracket 49 mounted on top .of the wheel guard 41. 'Ihe feeler 43 is positioned in the path of a package |4 and thus when a package |4 engages the feeler 43 the shaft -45 will be given a part rotation. The rod 45 has fixed thereto a downwardly extending arm 48 having an operating lug 49 at its lower end. Therefore, any movement given the shaft 45 by the operation of the feeler 43 is transmitted tothe arm 4-3 and consequently the lug 49. The lug 49 on the arm 48 is adapted to engage a recess or notch 50 formed in the square portion of the rod 25, and when so any suitable manner such as by a pin whereby the rod 55 is rigidly connected to the arm 5|. Upper and lower bearings 55 and 51, respectively, are fastened to part of the machine frame and provide a sliding bearing for the shaft 53. The arm 5| has an extension or tail piece 59 through which a rod or shaft 59 passes. Nuts or stops 50 are fastened to the'shaft or rod 59 and a spring movement in timed relationship with the lmovement of the feed wheel ||I whereby intermittent' synchronized movement of the shaft 24 is caused.

I'he spring 5| has suilicient strength so that normallyv it holds the tail piece 58 in engagement with the collar 50, as shown in Fig. 4, the shaft 59 and the arm 5| moving as a unitto impart the necessary timed and controlled motion to the' shaft 24. However, in the event shaft'24 should stick or otherwise become jammed, spring 5| will yield, as shown in Fig. l; thereby permitting'theoperating shaft 59 to move without imparting .the corresponding motion to the arm 5|. Spring 3|a normally holds members 3| and 54 in contact, thereby returning-or lowering the shaft 24 'l as the arm 5| islowered.

The invention is particularly adaptable for a I package as disclosed in the aforesaid Patent No.

2,019,191 and as `disclosed in Fig. 9. However,

other types and forms of packages and cartons may be also employed. v

In carrying out the method a predetermined quantity of wax is sprayed in mist' form within the tubular extension ofthe outer wrapper and against the exterior surface of the irmer wrapper or carton so as' to thoroughly. impregnate the free ends of the outer wrapper and to' provide a Fig. 4, thereby allowing vertical movement of the rod 25 and permitting the waxing of the package. .If, however, there is no article |4 in position, the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 5 wherein the lug 49 is engaged in the notch 50, thereby preventing vertical movement ofthe rod 25. The vertical movement of the rod 24, however, is unhampered and the lug 33 willmerely slide on the rod 25 during the vertical reciprocation of the rod 24 when the lug 49 is in yengagement with the notch 50, as shown in l Fig. 5. When the machine continues to operate and the next succeeding package is fed to the position shown in Fig. 4, the feeler,y element will again cause the lug 49 to be removed fromvits recess and therefore permit normal operation of the rod 25 and the subsequent waxing of the package. f

Because of thepossibility of the operating rod 24 sticking because of certain conditions, such as the cooling or freezing of the wax in the receptacle 20, the means for operating the rod 24 are resilient whereby the driving parts can operate in their normal'manner without break' ing or damaging other parts because of the stickl ing of the rod 24.

This flexible operating mechanism 32 mayv comprise an arm or bracket 5I, Figs. l and 4, which has a boss 52 through which a vertical rod or shaft 52 extends. The rod or arm 5| has base portion against which the wrapper may be is sprayed, the outer wrapper may be folded down and over into the position shown in Fig. 9. The invention also contemplates spraying wax against the end of a carton or package so that when the free ends of the outer wrapper are folded down over the carton flaps as shown in Fig. l0, a tight seal is provided. l It iszto be understood that the invention isnot limited to the specific forms disclosed as the'lJackage may include any geometrical figure or configuration.

The invention provides a sealing mechanism for making a tight seal on a package. A passage leading to a source of air pressure is opened and closed by the operation of the rods 24 and. 25 and the amount of wax to be blown through the nozzle 23 when all the parts are in operating positionvis determined by the size of the orifice.

the end of the package whereby a tight seal is I effected. By delivering a predetermined quantity of wax to a predetermined position and then causing this wax to be ejected against the end 'of the package or article in a spray or mist form,

the entire wrapper surface to be folded is impregnated with thewax or other adhesive and then finally, when lthe carton naps or outer 'wrapper folds are folded down in position, the

Wrapper will be i'lxed to the package and a tight seal Will be effected` The detector mechanism is simple in construction and positively controls the operation of the wax spraying means depending upon Whether or not a package is in position to be operated upon.

The claims herein are directed to the appara-4 tus disclosed, claims to the method of wrapping and sealing the packages as herein set forth being presented in a divisional application.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts' without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriiicing any of its advantages and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly wall Within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

i. A sealing mechanism comprising a bearing having a passage therein which leads to a source o air supply, a rod having an opening therethrough adapted to be brought into alinement with said passage, means for operating said rod in an upward direction, means for lowering said rod, a second rod, and means operated by the first named rod and irictionally engaging the second rod, to operate the second rod, said second named rod having an opening therein adapted to receive a predetermined amount oifA adhesive material, said second rod being controlled by the operation of the rst named rod to bring the opening in the second named rod into alineinent with the passage in the bearing.

2. A sealing mechanism comprising a bearing having a passage therein which leads to a source oi air supply, a rod. having an opening therethrough adapted tobe brought into alinement with said passage, means for operating said rod in an upward direction, spring means for W- ering said rod, a second rod operating in 'said bearing, means operated by the first named rodand frictionally engaging the second rod, to operate the second rod, said second ynamed rod having an opening therein adapted to receive a predetermined amount of adhesive material, said second rod being controlled by the operation of the rst named rod to bring the opening the second named rod into alinement vviththe passage in the bearing, and means for limiting the movement of the second named rod.

3. A sealing mechanism. comprising a bearing having a passage therein which leads to a source oi air supply, a rod having an opening therethrough adapted to be brought into alinement with said passage, means for operating said rod in an upv/ard direction, spring means for lowering said rod, a second rod operating in said bearmeans operated by the first named rod and irictionally engaging the second rod, to operate the second rod, said second named rod having an opening therein adapted to receive a prede-` termined amount of adhesive material, said second rod being controlled by the operation of the rst named rod to bring the opening in the second named rod into alinement with the passage in the bearing, and detector means for preventing the operation of the second rod.

4. lin apparatus for applying an adhesive to a package or article comprising a. bearing having a passage therein, a rod normally closing 'said passage and having an opening therein,

under pressure connected to said passage for expelling the adhesive from said opening and passage.

5. Any apparatus for applying an adhesive to a package or article comprising a bearing having a passage therein, a valve having a passage therein adapted to be brought into alinement with the passage in the bearing, means for depositing a predetermined amount of adhesive in the valve passage, uid means for expelling adhesive from said alined passages, a second valve for controlling the operation of said expelling means, connections between said valves to cause said valves to operate in unison, and means for operating one of said valves.

6. An apparatus for applying an adhesive to a package or article comprising a hearing having a passage therein, a rod having a passage therein adapted to be brought into alinement 'with the passage in the bearing, means for depositing a predetermined amount of adhesive in the passage in the rod, means to operate said rod to bring the passage in the rod in aliiiernent with the passage in the bearing and fluid sure means for expelling adhesive from the alined passage and upon an article.

7. In a sealing machine for packages and the like, a source of adhesive suppiy, an. air supply source, a member having a passage therein communicating withthe source of air supply, a second member having a passage therein adapted to receive adhesive from the source o supply, and means including a load releasing drive connection for moving said second member to bring the passage therein into alinement with the iirs't named passage, locking means operable to prevent movement of said second member by said load releasing drive connection, and detector means operatively connected to said locking means for actuating said locking means when a package is not in position to receive adhesive.

8. In a sealing machine having means for transmitting an article to a predetermined position, the combination of means for applying an adhesive to the article and comprising a source of adhesive supply, an air supply source, a meinber having a passage therein communicating with the source of air supply, a shitable inember having a passage therein adapted to receive adhesive from the source of supply, and a reciprocal member for operating said shiftable member to bring the passage therein into alinement with the rirst named passage.

in apparatus for applying an adhesive to a package or article comprising an adhesive supplying reservoir, a bearing extending into the reservoir, said bearing having a passage therein above the level of the adhesive in said reservoir, a valve shiftably mounted in said bearing and having an opening adapted to receive adhesive from said reservoir when said valve is in one position, a rod shiftably mounted in said bearing for operating the valve from said one positionV to another position in which the opening therein is in alinement with the passage in the bearing and a source of iiud under pressure connected to the passage in the bearing for e1.:-

opening therein for establishing communication pelling adhesive from said opening when the same is alined with said passage..

10. An apparatus for'applying an adhesive to V a package or article comprising an adhesive supplying reservoir, a bearing in said reservoir, said bearing having a passage therein above the level of the adhesive in said reservoir, a source of air under pressure connected to the passage. in the bearing, a rod shiftably mounted in said bearing and having an opening adapted to receive adhesive from said reservoir in oneposition of the rod, a valve shiftably mounted in said bearing for operating the rod from said one posi v a package or article comprising an adhesive supplying reservoir, a bearing in said reservoir, said bearing having a passage therein aboveV the level of the adhesive in said reservoir, a rod shiftably mounted in said bearing and having an opening `adapted to receive adhesive from said reservoir in one position of the rod, a second rod shiftably mounted in said bearing, meansoperated by the second rod and frictionally engaging the first rod to move said rst rod from said one position to a position in which the opening in the first rod is in alinement with the bearing passage, and a source of fluid under pressure connected to the passage in the bearing for expelling adhesive through the `alined passages and upon ythe article.

12. An apparatus for applying adhesive to a package or article comprising a bearing having a passage therein, a source of fluid under pressure connected to one end of said passage, a rod having an opening adapted to be brought into alinementfwith the passage in the bearing, means for depositing a predetermined amount of adhesive in the opening in said rod, a second rod shiftably mounted in said bearing andinterposed Y between said iirst rod and the end of the passage to which the source of iluid under pressure is connected, said second rod having an opening therein for establishing communication between the source of iluid supply and the opening in the rst rod when said last mentioned opening is in alinement with 'the passage -in the bearing, load release means connecting the first rod.to

the second rod to cause said rods to operate in unison, and load release means for operating the second rod.

13. An apparatus for applying adhesive to a package or article comprising a bearing having a-passage therein, a source of fluid under pressure connected to one end of said passagea rod having an opening adapted to be brought -into alinement with the passage in the bearing, -means for depositing a predetermined amount of adhesive in the opening in said rod, a second rod shiitably mounted in said bearing and interposed between said flrst rod and the end of the passage to which the source of uld under pressure is connected, said second rod havingl an .a package or article, comprising. a reservoir adapted to contain a body of adhesive, nozzle.

means having a passage therethrough, a source of iluid under pressurel connected to said passage, and means shiftable cyclically to and from the body of adhesive in the reservoir to periodically withdraw a measured amount of adhesive from said body and carry the withdrawn adhesive into the passage.

15. A sealing mechanism comprising a bearing having a passage therein which leads to a source of air supply, a rod having an openingthereythrough adapted to be brought into alinement `with said Ipassage to enable the transmission of air through the passage, means for operating `said rod in an upward direction, means for lowering said rod, an adhesive source of supply, a second rod having adhesive receiving means therein, said second rod being'movable to move its adhesive receiving means from the adhesive source of supply into alinement with said passage to be acted on by air pressure therein, and means connecting the second rod to the rst rod for operation therewith.

16. An apparatus for applying an adhesive to a package or article comprising a bearing having a passage therein, a rod having a passage therein adapted to be brought into alinement with the passage in the bearing, means for depositing a predetermined amount ofadhesive in the passage in said rod, means including a second lrod and friction drive connections between said rods for operating the first named rod, means for expelling the .adhesive from the passages when alined and upon a package, holding means operable toprevent movement of said first rod by said friction drive, and detector means operatively connected to said holding means for actuating said h olding means when a package is not in position to receive adhesive.

17. In a sealing machine for articles and the like, a source of adhesive supply, an air supply source, a member having a passage therein communicating with the source of air supply, a shiftable member having a passage therein adapted to receive adhesive from the source of supply, drive means for moving said shiftable member to bring the passage therein into alinement with the rst named passage, disabling means op-l erable to prevent shifting of said shiftable member by said drive means, and detector means operatively connected to said disabling means for actuating the disabling means when an article is not in position to receive adhesive.

MICHAEL J. MILMOE. CLARENCE J. MALHIOT 

